A few days ago, news emerged that Arcane Pixel’s Tiny Galaxy is in the works for Wii U. We recently spoke with creator Taylor Hajash to learn more about the game.
Here’s how Hajash describes Tiny Galaxy:
So Tiny Galaxy is a gravity based, atmospheric platformer game for the Wii U system. Rather than utilizing “normal” flat platforms you see in most other platformer game, Tiny Galaxy uses round planets of varying size that you will jump between. Each of these planets has its own gravity field, and as you move between each planet the screen rotates and shifts to keep that camera facing up right. It adds a really awesome look at feel as you run around the planets and jump between them! I have 5 different worlds in the game, a Forrest type world that you see in the screenshots, an Ice type world, a Fruit & Candy world where, instead of planets you play on Fruit and Candy, a Metal planet world and finally is a Dead planet world.
The main objective of the game will be to go through each level collecting 3 objects to open up a warp gate to go to the next level. I didnt really want to have the game to feel to linear, so adding the collectibles through out each stage adds more of a challenge as you have to collect each one to open the warp gate and some of them are hidden behind some really difficult obstacles.
In terms of GamePad functionality, the controller will be used for level select and navigating menus. There will be off-TV play, too. “For me personally, one of my absolutely favorite things about the Wii U console, is being able to play my games while someone is watching TV and not having to argue over who gets to do what, which is why I am incorporating that feature into the game,” Hajash said.
Interestingly, Hajash hopes that Tiny Galaxy will be accessible for disabled gamers and this is something he has spent a lot of time on. Players will be able to use the Wii Remote Plus controller and play the game in a one-handed mode (left or right hand) by using the d-pad and “B” button to move and jump respectively. Hajash is even looking into supporting the Wii Balance Board in hopes of implementing a no-buttons option, “but this has been very difficult and may not make it into the final build.” A future update could be possible if he can’t get it up and running perfectly.
Tiny Galaxy is targeted for early 2015 – perhaps the end of February. Wii U owners can expect a price point in the range of $7.99 to $9.99 for 50-75 levels. Hajash has been “playing the field to see what people would like to pay for the game.”
In the end, Hajash said he wants Tiny Galaxy “to be a fun game that everyone feels like it was a good value and not just something that they’ll play for an hour and finish and never come back to.”
Next week’s issue of Famitsu will have a big scoop, as noted in the magazine’s current edition. At least if the tease leads to a disappointing reveal or a non-Nintendo announcement, we’ll be able to look forward to more coverage of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate as well. Famitsu also promises a recommended games feature for readers.
The next issue of Famitsu should arrive during the middle of next week. However, as is usually the case, leaks will occur as early as Tuesday.
Digital Leisure is bringing a new game to Wii U titled “Get Off My Lawn!”. Not much is known about it at present, but the USK lists the title’s genre as arcade/shoot’em up.
We followed up with Digital Leisure late last week, and while we couldn’t secure any additional information, we were told that the company is “prepping a release in the coming weeks”. I assume we’ll be hearing more soon then!
Image & Form is still nailing down the specifics for SteamWorld Dig’s cross-buy promotion. Those who have purchased the game on 3DS may be entitled to a discount for the Wii U version, which launches at the end of this month.
Image & Form wrote on Twitter:
.@ImageForm Cross-buy promotion not yet finalized. We're still figuring it out 🙂
— Image & Form (@ImageForm) August 2, 2014
@NintendoTweet Sorry, more like a discount for 3DS owners of the game. We still haven't figured everything out. Details soon 🙂
— Image & Form (@ImageForm) August 2, 2014
SEGA is putting most of its efforts into the 3DS this financial year. The company has 13 SKUs planned for the system (which could include limited editions and download games) and estimates that they’ll sell a combined 2.27 million units.
Wii U, on the other hand, isn’t expected to move as many games. SEGA forecasts that the console will be the seventh biggest contributor for SEGA this year with 600,000 sales across 4 SKUs. Wii U falls behind all other mainstream gaming platforms aside from the Xbox One.
A report published on Japanese website Business Journal details alleged turmoil within management at Nintendo.
The article claims that there’s a shared recognition of Iwata being the culprit among management. While there is a strong desire to bring games/franchises like Mario to smartphones, Iwata is strongly vetoing the idea. Iwata reiterates that “Nintendo’s strength is in unified development of game hardware and software”, stubbornly rejects the “net” (seems to reference how smartphones don’t use physical media since they download games), and fixates over “game consoles” – perhaps in light of his pride as a former developer.
GameSpot stores in Philadelphia are now fingerprinting customers who trade in games. The records are stored in a database to help law enforcement track down thieves who fence stolen goods.
There is a law in place that makes this possible, though GameStop isn’t actually forced to abide by the pawnbroker’s ordinance. Customers don’t seem too pleased with the retailer’s requirement, so it will be interesting to see how long this continues.
